Congratulations to Chapter Photo Contest Winners

1

Box Turtle

by Lee Hesler
Virginia Flora, Fauna and Other Species

2

Serenity Sunset

by Emmalee Smith
Virginia Landscapes and Habitats

3

Planting a Rain Garden

by Bill Fox
VMNs in Action

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service.

Composed of 29 semi-independent, locally focused chapters, The Virginia Master Naturalist program is actively supported, guided, and represented by the over-arching statewide VMN program. The Pocahontas Chapter is based in Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County.

Virginia Master Naturalists are educated in natural resources and trained in the skills necessary to work alongside local organizations to increase education and awareness of the community’s natural resources. Volunteers also provide such services as environmental education, water monitoring, wildlife data collection, and habitat restoration.

Our first group of 28 members completed basic training classes in 2009. We conduct training once each year for interested individuals who submit the VMN Basic Training Application. More than half our members have completed full certification and others are well on their way.

Applications for training are reviewed and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. You may send in an application at any time to be considered for an upcoming training class or to request to be added to our Wait List. The fee for basic training instruction and materials is $125, and is payable upon notification of acceptance. Most classes are on Tuesdays at Pocahontas State Park from 6-9 PM.

Pocahontas Chapter Named Virginia State Parks’ Volunteer Organization of the Year

We are honored to be recognized for the contributions our chapter members have made at Pocahontas State Park during the past year. Congratulations and a hearty "Thank You" to all the Pocahontas Chapter members—for all you do, this award is ​for YOU!

in addition to providing valuable volunteer service in environmental education, citizen science and natural resources stewardship, Virginia Master Naturalists enjoy ongoing programs and activities designed to further their knowledge and experience.